Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu, right, and Vishmi Gunarathne run between the wickets to score during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on October 14, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
On a day when missed opportunities became the talking point, Sri Lanka’s top-order was the biggest benefactor.
Against an otherwise disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, the Lankans prioritised partnership over power and trundled to 258 for six, their highest total against the White Ferns in the format.
However, even before the Kiwis could begin their chase, persistent rain ended the contest.
The sparse but cheerful crowd at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Tuesday was witness to a multifaceted home side, right from the slow and steady toil at the top to the accelerated approach at the finish.
Cautious start
Opting to set a target this time, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was joined by Vishmi Gunaratne as the duo started cautiously.
Their contrasting styles complemented each other, resulting in a 101-run opening stand and Athapaththu’s first half-century in over five months.
The skipper looked fluent, but the youngster struggled to keep pace. The openers fell, forcing Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama to rebuild.
While the latter had a brief but confident stay, the former played the role of anchor after overcoming a shaky period.
Nilakshika Silva was given the platform to take on the bowlers from the get-go. She was off the mark with a boundary, lofting Sophie Devine over mid-on. That was the beginning of an onslaught as she targeted the right deliveries and kept finding the gaps.
Nilakshika brought up the quickest half-century of this edition — off 26 balls — with a heave towards deep-midwicket. She ensured Sri Lanka closed out strongly by hammering three consecutive fours off the final over, making Devine’s nine-over spell the most expensive.
The captain was, however, New Zealand’s clutch player once again, picking up three wickets, including that of her counterpart Athapaththu.
The White Ferns will look back and rue the multiple chances they couldn’t utilise, including an early nick by the dangerous Athapaththu as well as a handful of fumbled run outs and stumping chances by ’keeper Izzy Gaze.
The scores:
Sri Lanka 258/6 in 50 overs (Vishmi 42, Athapaththu 53, Hasini 44, Nilakshika 55 n.o., Devine 3/54) vs New Zealand; Match abandoned.
Published – October 14, 2025 06:44 pm IST
